Juan Martin Del Potro scored arguably the best win of his season earlier today knocking out world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in very convincing fashion 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the Shanghai Masters final where he’ll face defending champion Novak Djokovic.

After years of fighting injuries the Argentine finally looks like the ferocious player we saw when he won the US Open in 2009. Nadal, who played pretty well, just couldn’t match Delpo’s power game on the slick Shanghai track.

When he’s on his mark, Del Potro is about as unplayable a guy as there is on the tour. And that showed today.

“I played so solid all the time, hitting the ball so hard,” Del Potro said. “I saw Rafa playing very far off the baseline, which is good for my game, for my serve, and confidence. That’s the way to beat this guy.”

As for Nadal, the loss was maybe a bit of a reality check after such a hot year on the hardcourts. Rafa may be No. 1 now but that’s consecutive one-sided losses to top level players on hardcourts the last two weeks.

“He played amazing. I just congratulate him,” Nadal said. “Very few times I play against a player with a level like today…I really go home with the feeling that I didn’t play bad. That’s the thing. It is fair to say that. I am humble enough to say that I played well and I lost 6-2, 6-4.”

In the first semi, Djokovic was tested late by JW Tsonga but got through nicely 6-2, 7-5.

“[My serving] was very controlled, very efficient,” Djokovic said. “I was trying to open up the court and move him around. I know he likes to have targets, he likes to play from the backhand corners so I tried not to [let] him into that comfort zone.”

As for the title bout…

Novak Djokovic v Juan Martin Del Potro
This is the final I picked at the start of the tournament and I’ll stay with Djokovic here. As much as I’ll root for Delpo, I just think Djokovic feels so especially comfortable on these courts this time of year and results prove it: he’s his last 19 matches in China!

The key for the match, I think, will be Djokovic’s serve. If he’s struggling in anyway with it he’s going to have a very tough time fending off Delpo. Novak’s exceptional defense should create some problems for Delpo off the ground and I think Djokovic can get the big guy’s serve back.

And let’s watch the nerves. With Nadal out this becomes a big point win for Djokovic who’s been shut out of hardcourt Masters title this season. Meanwhile for Del Potro, he’s never ever won a Masters title of any kind. What a chance now just two sets away.

But I think Juan Martin will have to wait a little longer.The pick: Djokovic in three

“When he’s on his mark, Del Potro is about as unplayable a guy as there is on the tour.”: THIS! Novak is the fav, 3 is the safe pick for margin, but if Delpo plays like he did v Rafa: wins. The big guy is- IMO- has the match on his racquet with his huge offensive baseline game. He’s due and I hope this is his time: vamos delpo!

My new favourite after Fed of course is Delpo!!! The quality he possesses is other worldly. But my respect for Nadal has gone to a new level after this match. If I ever had to choose a tennis player,to win a match to save my life, it would be Nadal, hands down, the greatest competitor I’ve ever seen!!!!

@Hamza
To add,
Everyone knows Delpo has a cannon for a FH, but imo his BH was very solid in his match against Rafa. That said, like me mentioned earlier, Rafa did not have one of his better serving days.

Yes skeezer, Rafa serve was not good yesterday and I am just wondering why did he stand far away from baseline. It’s a good advantage for Delpo. Hope he could learn it from this match just incase he’ll meet him again in other tour. Delpo was played brilliant yesterday.
Waiting for blockbuster match. Delpo versus Nole. May the best man win.

Right you are. The double handed backhand when working neutralizes Rafa’s cross-court forehand in long rallies. Plus when DelPo is hitting the forehand like the way he was, it’s very hard to beat him. Under such circumstances, the only thing a player can do is hold his serve and bet on the tie-break.

Plus it seemed today Delpo did to Rafa what Rafa does to others – he didn’t let him convert any of his break points.

All credit to Del Potro for this superb win against Rafa. Infact Del Potro rightly said earlier that Rafa was the man to beat this year and he has done the enviable job of dumping him and that too in straight sets. I too thought that Del Potro stood little chance considering the awesome form Nadal has been in right throughout the year. But, I knew that if he had to do it, it has to be in straight sets. Del Potro was lucky in a sense that he caught Rafa in one of those off days. It is rarely you see Rafa serve four double faults in a match and that too in a three setter. But it happened and credit to Del Potro he took full advantage of the slight dip in Rafa’s level. Del Potro is another player against Novak who has the game to trouble Rafa. He is aided by his sheer size as well as the brutal power. He is able to quell Rafa’s vicious top spin due to this advantage and also the fact that he is double handed. He moved Rafa from side to side with his power and just unsettled him. He did not allow him to breathe easy and Rafa looked a little displeased with his performance overall in the match and that was reflected in the way he hand shaked with Del Potro during the customary greetings at the end of the match. I thought Rafa could have been more courteous and gracious patting Del Potro in the back instead of a dejected sign off.

As for the finals where Novak is pitted against Del Potro, I think it would be a difficult pick considering the confidence Del Potro would have acquired due to this win against Rafa in the semi finals, a very rare sight this year. Del Potro has beaten both Rafa and Roger back to back to win a major. But the shocking thing is that he is yet to win a Masters Series titles. A player with so much promise has just made two finals at the Master series and this might go against him in the finals against Novak who is a man of experience. Del Potro would be probably desperate to win this one and that might affect his game and so even though I would like Del Potro to win this one and make his mark at the Masters, I feel that he might fall short yet again and Novak would repeat the China double. However, Tennis has scope for surprises and let us see what Del Potro has in store ?

Madmax Delpo played superbly yesterday,Rafa failed to take any of his BP oppotunities,so maybe that was his undoing,if he,d took them who knows?but i doubt any player could,ve done much against Delpo the way he was playing.

Urgh Dissapointing from Delpo so far,deffinetly not playing the way he did yesterday,Nole looks very good so far,this is the thing ive always found with Delpo,can he back up one great performance against a top with another hmm.

A disapointing final this far,one that promised so much,is delivering so little,Delpos about to get bageled now,unless we see a better second set,i think repeats of Friends would be more interesting,sorry Nole fans.

Delpo play like a crab. Nole is playing great game. Go Nole get the trophy. All my fellow Rafa fans support Delpo. I am going against him now so once again go Nole. Just kidding guys!!
Wish both guys the best. Both deserve but only one winner.

It’s funny how all these types of players like Delpo always bring their best against Rafa. Obviously they think that Rafa is the ultimate challenge irrespective of his ranking!
Delpo playing like an amateur. What happened to the Delpo of yesterday? Inconsistency is the key word. Looks like he is heading for one massive beat down unless he can show up in the second set. Doubt it though wonder what’s ailing him today!
Goodbye Delpo!!

@alison. I agree Andy is more than capable of man-handling joker not only on fast HC’s but any surface really. Thank goodness there aren’t too many fast HC’s in the calendar. I say that for selfish reasons!

Just to say its great to have fans of other players joining in the chat on this forum,not just fans of Rafa,Roger,Andy,Nole,nice to see Emiliy whos a fan of Delpo joining the chat,and Volley whos a Tsonga fan,would be lovely to see a more diverse group of fans.

Congrats to both players for playing an awesome match. Congrats to Nole for winning. He played consistent tennis in the 3rd set. No need to feel bad for Delpo, he’s announced himself back by pushing Djokovic to 5 sets at Wimbledon and to 3 sets here. He beat Rafa here and right now he’s playing tennis as good as anybody. A major title contender for the coming tournaments.

Incredible match,congrats Nole and fans,Courbon,Suzette,Patson and abscent friends Jane,Wogboy,Mat4,Harry,Bada Bing,sorry for Delpo nice embrace from Novak,Delpo looked very sad,sorry for Emily too,who shouldnt be too downhearted as Delpo played a fantastic match in sets 2 and 3,im glad we were spared the incredible hulk shirt ripping from Novak this time,which is a bit OTT sometimes.

Congrats to Novak who has won his 15th Masters Series Title. It is indeed an amazing achievement that he has repeated the Chinese double. By this, he has turned a disappointing year by his standards to a successful year by finishing it in a glorious fashion. He is 26 and still has many years of good Tennis left in him. I am sure he has eyed to become No.1 once again.

It was just tearful to see Del Potro losing. It is ofcourse shocking to learn that he is yet to win a Master Series title in his career despite being such a brilliant player. In Shanghai, he was presented with a challenge to beat Rafa and Novak back-to-back to take the title. He nearly did it but couldn’t complete the job. I think he must be terribly disappointed, but he can take consolation from the fact that serious effort was not lacking and he gave all that he can to win the Title. Alas, you need a thick sin to survive in this brutal sport which is cruel many a times to bidders. Looking at this match where Novak dominated Potro in the first set, but in the second and third sets, Del Potro just made Novak run from side to side hitting bludgeoning shots with brutal power from both the flanks. Novak just couldn’t balance himself on the court and he had to resort to super human stretching to retrieve some of the shots of Del Potro. Infact, Novak slipped many time on the Courts and one wonders what was the reason ? However, in the tie break, Novak showed as to why he is a Champion and his forebearance, will power and mental fortitude took him through.

Beating Rafa and Novak back-to-back must be the most toughest job in sport. Del Potro must be proud that he almost did it. Afterall this is some consolation for this man’s great effort. The tower of Tandil as he is affectionately called has finally come of age and is set to challenge the very top. I am sure it will not be long before we see him lifting a Master Series title.

What you say is reflected in their H2H where Rafa is just leading Del potro 8-4 and I believe one of their match in Miami went too close to call where Rafa won. As you rightly say and I very much agree, both Del Potro and Novak are tough customers to Rafa. These players are not afraid of his top spin game like other players. Del Potro being tall and a fantastic double hand has the power to quell Nadal’s vicious top spin.

Michael agree with all of your posts,Delpo has the game to trouble the very best in the game,also we will have Andy back early next year,who matches up well against Novak,and has Novak rattled in the GS recently,the AO is a slower HC,but the irony is Rafa has done better at the USO which is faster(usually),that could indeed change next year,could been the oporative word,Andy has been in 3 finals so im hoping he can go one better now,be interesting to see how he fares after what will have been a long lay off come January.

Thanks. True, I literally had tears in my eyes when the match ended. Although I admire Novak, I was rooting for Del Potro all the way. I wanted him to win badly. To come so close and to lose must be really heart breaking for this young gentleman who is such a superb player but records do not match his great talent. Hopefully next year or even in Paris I hope Del Potro would break through. As regards your query about my picking up the racquet, just to tell you, I am over 40 now and it has been long since I last played Tennis. I mainly played club level Tennis and participated in some amateur tourneys during my young days. It was pretty tough to win even those tournaments due to competition. But, I couldn’t take up the sport seriously due to my various other commitments. But let me tell you this, it is very tough to win.

Sorry for Delpo. He doesn’t seem to be able to win those types of matches, the close ones. Something is still missing in that area. Against Rafa he was always in the lead, so he was not really troubled, even though Rafa had his chances as well. And to say Rafa got a reality check is maybe a bit drastic. He always said he will lose on hardcourts. And everyone knows the end of season has always been difficult for him. Nothing new here. I believe it when he says that final and semifinal are good results. Just accept it and move on.

Thanks. Del Potro will live for another day. What else can he do ? As you said, Andy might return next year and the competition can only get still tougher. In this brutal sport, you have to take the chance as they come. They never hit your door often. But let us give hope to Del Potro by our encouraging words. Regarding that US Open, it is a myth that Rafa cannot play on fast courts. He is an all court player and that is the reason he could deliver Novak the knock out punch in 2010 as well as this year.

Michael the only time i played tennis was at school,i couldnt stand it,i always enjoyed watching it rather than playing it,always enjoyed watching and cheering the Brits Sue Barker,Virginia Wade,later on came Tim,Greg and Andy,would,ve loved to have seen Fred Perry play(sigh),i always loved playing Netball,and Hockey.

Michael bang,bang,bang thankyou,just to let you know thats the sound of nails been hit on the head,interestingly since Rafa won the USO this year again,you dont here so many comments like one dimensional CC specialist anymore hooray.

Thank you for everything you have to say about me. I do not know if I merit it. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to me. Regarding Rafa being one dimensional, I do not think any body will be so stupid to lay such a claim today for all of Rafa’s exploits on hard courts. It is pleasing to know that you are a keen Tennis enthusiast much like I am. It is always good to have hobbies and what can be more enjoying than watching your favourites on the court competing with all ferocity to win that elusive crown.

Actually i have just seen the interview on Sky Sports News,they didnt show the presentation,as the programme finished and went straight to adverts,and Novak made me well up with what he said to Delpo especially after seeing the tears in Delpos eyes,the only time i cried more over tennis,was when Andy won Wimbledon,still cry buckets even now watching that one.

Margot lol sorry TBH i have no knowledge of Fred Perry at all,i only know he died of a brain anyorism(i believe,by slipping in a shower),but i would,ve loved to have watched him play,probably the greatest tennis player Britain ever had(8 GS was it),unless you can tell me different.

It was nice to see Novak hug Del Potro during that victory ceremony speech. Such kind of gestures goes a long way in making this Sport even more great. It only goes to show the nice camaradarie that exists between them despite the cut throat competition. It is very nice to see these guys behaving differently on and off court. That is the way it should be. I am not fortunate to watch the great Fred Perry play. I am desperately searching in You tube if I can get a glimpse of this great man exploits on court, but so far I am unsuccessful. True, Tennis is a rich man’s sport. You need to be a millionaire if you have to survive and get the best coaching possible to fulfil your aspirations to be a good player.

One great piece of information, I am sure you should be aware of. Fred Perry was not just a Tennis Champion. He won the World Championship in Table Tennis too in 1929 which just goes to show the kind of versatile sportsperson he was.

Michael indeed,i have just been looking up Fred Perry stats on Wiki,i i just read that exact bit of info on table tennis,he won Wimbledon,USO each 3 times,aswell as the AO and FO,he was the 1st ever male singles player to win the career GS,and yes i too am searching you tube for highlights of the great mans matches.

With Federer and Murray having bad years in 2014, the two players that stopped Djokovic at Wimbledon in te past few years won’t do it in 2014. Also, Djokovic will have *everything right* during the Wimbledon period. Del Potro will have *everything right* during the USO period. Nadal will have *everything right* during the RG period. Djokovic will have *everything right* during the AO period.

Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:
Madmax Delpo played superbly yesterday,Rafa failed to take any of his BP oppotunities,so maybe that was his undoing,if he,d took them who knows?but i doubt any player could,ve done much against Delpo the way he was playing.

October 13th, 2013 at 5:04 am

Sorry Alison,

Not so. If you have watched the way that Rafa has played Delpo, his game does not match up well with him at all. H2h is one facet of a match. Rafa hates playing delpo. Delpo knows when he plays rafa, he is always in with a chance.

On a grteat day (like yesterday), his powerful shots completely neutralise rafa’s attempts at returning. Not only that, his serves (delpos) are full of the force of a tornado. Rafa does not have the power to match delpo.

His one weapon against him, is that he is much better usually on the court and can move a lot quicker, from side to side rafa is great. But get the big man moving from side to side, and rafa will catch him like a rabbit in headlights.

Rafa has played a fantastic year this year, and it is bound to catch up with him, like it did yesterday.

So, I stand by what I say. Delpo’s game will always be a problem for Rafa, because of height and power (it was the same when Karlovic played Rafa, and also Isner – height and power is Rafa’s kryptonite).

Scintillating stuff from Nole today. Keeping it close in the Race. Won’t be surprised to see him take a WC in Basel or Valencia now. A third consecutive YE #1 means a lot.
Happy for Courbon and patson and all #NoleFam!!!
Sorry for Delpo who teared up during the 3rd set. Means a lot to him obviously.
Ajde!!!
Vamos!!!

for Patson @ Suzette:
YEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Our man did us proud!
I know that his number 1 ranking is not reachable, but is good to accumulate as many points he can,for the next year…
Next stop: Paris

Sorry for Emily,that was a heartbreaking loss for Delpo,who showed alot of heart out there today,and proves he has what it takes to trouble the very best,i hope you stick around,as its lovely to see fans of other players posting too.

@ Hippy Chic: I have to say, from pure tennis perspective-I loved watching those two play.Last three matches they played have been really great.
On different subject-Its quite normal for Rafa to be slightly OFF at this stage of the year.What a year he had…Novak in 2011 was also tired in this part of the season.I expect him to come back in AO which will be great-Murray, Nadal, Novak and Delpo-all in good shape ( I assuming that Murray will be fully recovered ).

Your guy is playing at a impressively high level right now. It’s pretty awesome stuff from Nole that has to be recognized, and deservedly applauded.

Well done to him.

I agree with you:

I expected Rafa to dip in performance post USO based on past years, naturally having a letdown after winning nearly every tournament he ended: as you said for Nole in 2011: it’s inevitable for it to happen.

But I agree with you re AO 14:

A Rafa, Nole, Muzza and Delpo quartet is a seriously exciting prospect for Tennis fans to anticipate.

Courbon thankyou,TBH after a year like Rafa played this year,its to be expected that there would be a lul sooner or later,as regards the match well what a contest,and a shame there has to be a loser on this occasion,after the 1st set,i thought if the second set is as one sided then ill turn the TV over and watch repeats of Friends,then Delpo woke up to make it a thrilling contest,im hoping Murray will be back to his best come next year,and Delpo looks to be back 2009 form,somehow though i have a gut feeling that Roger will pull something out of the bag(just a hunch),and for some reason i think Stan could be a dark horse(another hunch,maybe its a swiss thing),anyway i hope its an open and well contested season,time will tell though.

TO OUR RESIDENT JEHOVA WITNESS: Tootsie,I’m confused. You said that Novak is not winning because he leaves in a sin ( how about Rafa-he is not married and has that stunning girl but is winning like a mad?).
But he is winning, so how is that?
I guess God works in mysterious ways…

TO OUR RESIDENT ASTROLOGER: Jamie, how is possible that stars always align for Rafa during RG?I studied astro physic in college so I’m sure that planets change positions all the time..or maybe they did not for last 6 years or so?I did not follow so who knows.

@ Brando: Well said.Novak is getting back but ultimate test would be against Rafa in a Grand Slam-best of three.Rafa still has mental advantage there.Well, we will se how everything plans out.Speak to you in a week or so.

@ Hippy Chic: I agree with you. I and I think you are right about Wawrinka and Fed.Only I think it will take some time for Fed to bounce-he will most likely get a new coach and work on his game.Which may take some time.
On other subject-I hope Murray wins this year sports personality of the year ( BBC )He did not win in 2012 when he won first GS.Its a time and small thank you from British nation to great sportsman

Agree with Alexandar,its not a reality check,he lost a match,which they all eventually,hardly a surprise given the year hes having,im saying having rather than had,as had is talking in the past tence,and theres much still to play for as yet.

Courbon i would love to see Andy win SPOTY,however i think that might go to Sir Bradley Wiggins,or Ben Ainslie still you never know,about Jamies predictions im wondering why the stars cant align for Rafa or Andy at the AO,and im also wondering why im not burning in hell for becoming a born again Pagan according to Tootie anyway,actually im wondering quite alot today,before i go out for a meal with my husband and stuff my face.

@ Hippy Chic:
It should be Andy!
Pagans use to get burned by Inqusition.Or is it witches? Anyway, be carefull on the street and enjoy your meal.
You will got to hell one day for being pagan-but that’s Ok.I’ll be there for sure, so we can finally meet and have a drink!

@ Hippy Chic: Its warm and for musician like me-much better place.You have Jim Morrison, Hendrix, Janis Joplin…who is in the heaven?Boy Bands and crap like that…
And for Brits-nice change regarding the ‘weather’.
Your friend is single? ( discrete cough follows…)
I’m sure somebody was killing pagans also…I’ll check-I’m big history buff so curios now.
Joan of Arc was not a witch by the way,,,

@ Patson: You are wrong.It takes Skeezer and Giles to have a proper war.They are like a JING and JANG of X-Blog…
That service was very funny.I think the court was almost anti-slide.Very noisy like floors in car parks.And Novak being Novak and doing his sliding forth and back, left and right-that’s result.

@Courbon I don’t think there were any pagans left by the inquisition. That is if you define pagan as a worshipper of one of the religions of antiquity like the Greek gods,Isis,etc. By the way the word pagan means something like country bumpkin, feedback, or rube.

@ tennis fansince76: I just browsed net and witches are considered as a pagans. But I know what you mean in your post…Hippy Chic is going to hell for sure!
Anyway, since I’m tennis fan since 1980 and there is only 4 year difference between us, tell me who was your favourite player in those days?
Mine was McEnroe mostly because I liked rebels and all girls liked Borg. After I liked Boris Becker a lot. Also I hated Lendl-he was first baseliner with no smile and charm ( I loved net game in those days, now I’m quite happy to watch long rallies. Tastes changes, game changes).At least that what I thought then-n was young and I would judge by character and appearance,not so much game…

Courbon lol my friend is divorced,and sickeningly stunning,anyway if i go to hell at least its warm there,Paganism is a very misunderstood religion,actually its not really a religion,more a way of life,learning to appreciate nature and the earth,looking after the planet etc,not getting swayed by greed,i meditate listening to native american cds,i do healing with souix drums and crystals,nothing heavy like black magic,its all positive stuff honestly lol.

Del Po used all his powerful wrist action on Rafa yesterday……didn’t have any left for 3 sets. Best regards to Novak fans. He is a beast. I hope the balance problems was his shoes and nothing serious. Sorry for Del Po fans…..but he had his work cut out for him today. Probably a little tired…..he is one big guy!! I am looking forward to 2014 and see how all our favs fair.

@Hippi Chic, thanks for the shout outs and commiserations. Delpo has too many of these heartbreaking losses (Wimbledon, Olympics) where I always wonder why I just saw the wrong ending to the movie. He did do great this week and coming this close will give him confidence going into the WTF. I thought he was going to pull it out when he saved the 2 MPs, but then Nole played those few amazing shots in the tie break. I’m so happy for the tennis I watched these past 2 weeks and reading all the positive comments about Delpo’s abilities and his future, I know that the Masters title will come.

With this win Djoko keepes the #1 year end race still alive. Smilae to last year when he won both Beijing and Shangai and took it back form Federer. Of course, this year is mych bigger taks beause it is not entirelly in his hand. If Nadal reaches a few amount of ponts (I think something around 800-1000 pts apin next tourneys: Basel, Paris and WTF), he will garantee. For Djoko there is no other way around (unless Nadal doesn’t play anymore this year) he has to win Paris and WTF without losing a match to get this 2500 pts, specially sicne he lost first round in Paris. Djoko has to cphope apNadal loses before semis in Basel and Paris to, do above semis in Basel, win Paris and hope Nadal doesn’t win much in WTF. He still has a 5-10 % chance of finishing #1 for the year, Basel will out things in perspective depending on how Nadal and him fare. But ir wouldn’t surprised me if Djoko wins both Paris and WTF, tounery where he won before and Nadala didn’t as he is getting the taste of win again and he was a bit unlucky in some matches troughtout the year. With Murray out, Fed strugling and Nadal maybe a bit soent mentally and physically he may emerges as he was conistant all year.
Ithink Nadal deserves #1 for the year bit if he gets 3 more bad perfomances it can cost him year end. At leats we may have a chance of an exciting WTF where YE#1 could be decided last matches of the season, something we haven’t got since 2003

The best year end was undoubtely Lisbon 2000 with Gustavo Kuerten upsetting Sampras and agassi back to back removing the 1 in the last game of the season to Safin and becoming the first South American to be the best of the ATP (we know what happened to Vilas)

@Courbon I was of course a Connors man or boy. I loved Connors’ unorthodox game. There has never really been since. Not sure anyone could play a similar style nowadays. The first match I ever saw on tv was the 76 US open Connors Borg final. That was a high point of my Connors fandom. But Borg was to provide many heartbreak in the next few years. By 79 it was clear that Borg had gone to another level.
Given that I was a Connors fan Borg was of course the devil. Now I can appreciate his greatness but at the time it was lost on me. I wasn’t really a McEnroe fan but I strongly rooted for him against Borg. I was at college when the lendl era came in. I lost interest and didn’t follow the game as closely.
I missed some good matches like the lendl wilander US open finals. Most 90′s Wimbledon matches I found dull. What got me back to following tennis more closely were the 2 classic agassi/crafter Wimbledon semis. I followed agassi and then when Fed came in I started following him.

@Courbon I think the meaning of the word pagan has expanded over time. Originally it meant someone who practiced one of the cults of antiquity. Later on I think it came to include people who still practiced indigenous nature religions.

@Courbon
My pleasure, have always liked Nole. I remember, many moons ago, Andy and Nole played doubles together at one tournament. Suppose they can’t do that any more, shame. Perhaps when they’re veterans?
@Patson
Cheeky….;) FYI Andy has started rehab and has tweeted a very fetching picture of himself, in a weird contraption, at a swimming pool.
Let’s Go Andy! Let’s prove Jamie wrong!

Margot nice post about Nole,i have to say when Andy won Wimbledon i was shocked that Jane didnt stop by to congratulate Andy,yourself and all his fans,especially with Andy been her second favorite and all,i know she said she was no longer posting an the tennis x forum,as the joy of posting had gone for her,but a simple heads up would,ve been nice,especially given the times you,ve took it on the chin and congratulated Nole and all his fans,kind of annoyed me a bit TBH,especially as the two of you seemed to have quite a good friendship.

@ tennisfansince76: A, Connors man. I kind of missed him-too young. I’v seen maybe 3-4 matches of him. I missed most of the 90′s tennis since I was in my 20′s and partying a lot. I also find it 90′s Wimbledon dull. I watched when Ivanisevic won and apart from being nice story of journeyman winning I thought-he got a title with 100 Aces on the way!Not mine kind of game. I did ocassionally supported Agassi and then, I kind of came back to tennis in 2006.I heard so much of the guy called Federer and young prodigy Nadal ,that I got interested back in to tennis. I just started supporting Fed when Novak showed up. Being underdog and Serbian, like me, it was quite natural that switch alliances in that early stage. I never took a break since then.
You are right about pagans.
I’m curios-now that Fed is fading out-who is most pleasing to watch for you?

@ Hippy Chic: I know you are friendly pagan. I’v seen you on You tube and read about that festival.I use to be quite interested in similar stuff-like Carlos Castaneda and some books about GAIA.Some things I belive in, others not so much. Still reading and looking for ‘THE WAY’.
You know what they say: You learn all your life and you die stupid…

@Hippychick i didn’t think you did. actually though the devil is not so bad. when the christians came in they took the pan like fertility god of the nature religions and turned him into a bad guy. its a neat trick.